The Crusaders have secured a comfortable 29-10 victory over the New South Waratahs in their Super Rugby fixture in Christchurch tonight.
Crusaders fullback Israel Dagg Photo: Photosport
The home side was one try short of a bonus point victory but have extended their lead on the Super Rugby ladder to 41 points.
The Crusaders got off to the best possible start in the torrential rain, scoring two tries in the first 10 minutes to shoot out to a 12-nil lead.
A break from prop Joe Moody set up wing Johnny McNicholl in the second minute which was converted from the side line by Crusaders first five Richie Mo'unga.
Both Mo'unga and McNicholl were instrumental in the second try just moments later, when Mo'unga produced a cross field kick from the Waratahs 22 which McNicholl collected and offloaded to fullback Israel Dagg.
A penalty 30 metres out in front of the posts just 10 minutes later gave the Crusaders the chance to stretch out to a 15-nil lead which Mo'unga converted.
It wasn't all one way traffic in the first half though, winger Rob Horne managed to score in the left hand corner after centre Israel Folau produced a break from within his own half.
The Crusaders bounced back from the Horne try with a five points of their own to Richie Mo'unga who converted his own try to give the hosts a 22-5 lead at half time.
Following the break, the Waratahs came out with intent for the first 15 minutes, running the ball from their own half and put a lot of pressure on the Crusaders defense in their own 22.
However it was the Crusaders who got the first points of the second half, after five minutes of pressure just metres out from the try line Jordan Taufua scored under the posts.
Zac Guildford, who returned to Christchurch to face his old team, scored the only try for the Waratahs in the second half after coming on the field only three minutes earlier.
The win means the Crusaders extend their lead on the New Zealand conference to four points, the Chiefs have the opportunity to take the lead in their Super Rugby match against the Rebels in Hamilton on Saturday night.
-RNZ
